Frost dates for 59263Scobey, MT
The average last spring frost in Scobey is May 28 and the average first fall frost is September 6, giving a typical growing season of about 99 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 28
- Average first fall frost
- Sep 6
- Growing season
- 99 days
Safer after Jun 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Aug 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 206 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | — | — | 69 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | May 16 · May 28 · Jun 13 | Aug 24 · Sep 6 · Sep 19 | 99 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | May 7 · May 19 · Jun 1 | Sep 3 · Sep 16 · Sep 28 | 120 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Scobey
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – Jul 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Jun 13 – May 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – May 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jul 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – Jun 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Jun 13 – May 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Jun 27 – Jul 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Jun 20 – Jul 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | May 7 – May 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jun 6 – Jun 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Apr 27 – May 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jun 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jul 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 27 – Jun 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 27 – Jul 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 14 – Jun 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | May 20 – Jun 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 28 – Jul 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Apr 27 – Jun 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Sep 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 59263 is matched to the NOAA station Scobey 4 Nw, MT, 7 km away, at 2,390 ft elevation (110 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scobey 4 Nw, MT (used) | 2,390 ft | May 28 | Sep 6 |
| Bredette, MT | 2,313 ft | May 20 | Sep 21 |
| Redstone, MT | 2,106 ft | May 28 | Sep 7 |
| Wolf Point 34 Ne, MT | 2,643 ft | May 13 | Sep 28 |
Frost dates near Scobey
- Flaxville, MT 59222 · last May 13, first Sep 28
- Whitetail, MT 59276 · last May 28, first Sep 6
- Peerless, MT 59253 · last Jun 5, first Sep 2
- Redstone, MT 59257 · last May 28, first Sep 7
- Outlook, MT 59252 · last May 19, first Sep 23
- Richland, MT 59260 · last Jun 5, first Sep 2
- Glentana, MT 59240 · last Jun 5, first Sep 2
- Reserve, MT 59258 · last May 25, first Sep 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Scobey, MT?
- For ZIP code 59263, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Scobey 4 Nw, MT weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after June 13.
- When is the first frost in Scobey, MT?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is September 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by August 24, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 59263?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 99 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.